I am a ”semi-professional” Asus user. I have been using Asus routers for more than 5 years; I have +10 various Asus routers.
In a large two floor flat with thick concrete floor and lost of brick walls, I was using one AC66U A1. It covered most of the first floor and parts of the second floor. I have a + 500/500 Mbps fiber connection installed, so I decided to get a better WiFi network.
First I bought a Google WiFi mesh package with 3 units. It was very simple to install and of course improved the coverage. But for various reasons, I decide to go for AiMesh instead.
AiMesh
First I replaced my AC66U_A1 with an AC86U. By itself the coverage was significantly improved. I got 200 Mbps coverage everywhere at first floor, and 30-50 Mbps most all places at second floor.
Then I install an AC68U in the second floor, and got a minimum 100Mbps everywhere at that floor.
Except for that these two routers costs more than 3 Google WiFi routers, and it was some problems in making the two Asus’ work - I am happy!
But then came (Ai) Mess
For some reasons, I needed an extra mesh node. I had an AC66U_B1, and the configuration menus are identical to AC68U and AC86U (while my AC66U_A1 has no signs of mesh configuration possibilities). For a period it worked. But then came a new firmware, and it stopped working.
I have spent lots (and lots, and lots…) of time trying all combinations of one them as a router, and the two others as nodes. But AC66U_B1 never connects. Not even with the new 3.0.0.4.384_20942-ge38bead firmware in all. Including trying with the AC68U firmware, in the AC66U_B1.
So for me: the AC66U_B1 is really a Mess.
(I have read that people are able to connect two AC66U_B1, but I have not tried myself.)
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(PS: nothing directly to do with the above, but the speed I get is very depending upon the PC/tablet/phone I am using to test. At the exact same spot, 3 meters away from my AC86U:
A brand new top model phone: 400 Mbps
A two year old medium cost tablet: 200 Mbps
A tree year old medium cost tablet: 100 Mbps
A tree year old medium cost phone: 40 Mbps)
In a large two floor flat with thick concrete floor and lost of brick walls, I was using one AC66U A1. It covered most of the first floor and parts of the second floor. I have a + 500/500 Mbps fiber connection installed, so I decided to get a better WiFi network.
First I bought a Google WiFi mesh package with 3 units. It was very simple to install and of course improved the coverage. But for various reasons, I decide to go for AiMesh instead.
AiMesh
First I replaced my AC66U_A1 with an AC86U. By itself the coverage was significantly improved. I got 200 Mbps coverage everywhere at first floor, and 30-50 Mbps most all places at second floor.
Then I install an AC68U in the second floor, and got a minimum 100Mbps everywhere at that floor.
Except for that these two routers costs more than 3 Google WiFi routers, and it was some problems in making the two Asus’ work - I am happy!
But then came (Ai) Mess
For some reasons, I needed an extra mesh node. I had an AC66U_B1, and the configuration menus are identical to AC68U and AC86U (while my AC66U_A1 has no signs of mesh configuration possibilities). For a period it worked. But then came a new firmware, and it stopped working.
I have spent lots (and lots, and lots…) of time trying all combinations of one them as a router, and the two others as nodes. But AC66U_B1 never connects. Not even with the new 3.0.0.4.384_20942-ge38bead firmware in all. Including trying with the AC68U firmware, in the AC66U_B1.
So for me: the AC66U_B1 is really a Mess.
(I have read that people are able to connect two AC66U_B1, but I have not tried myself.)
-------
(PS: nothing directly to do with the above, but the speed I get is very depending upon the PC/tablet/phone I am using to test. At the exact same spot, 3 meters away from my AC86U:
A brand new top model phone: 400 Mbps
A two year old medium cost tablet: 200 Mbps
A tree year old medium cost tablet: 100 Mbps
A tree year old medium cost phone: 40 Mbps)